Apr 1, 2024 - Things to Do

Downed Portland trees now available chipped

Joseph Gallivan

Pile of woodchips in front of a one story house and two big trees — A pile of wood chips on SE 89th Avenue. Many of the wood chips around Portland have been donated by arborists still cutting their way through the timber felled in the January storm. Photo: Joseph Gallivan/Axios

Piles of wood chips are showing up on Portland's front yards and sidewalks.

Why it matters: Arborists are trying to dispose of trees that came down in the January storm and that they hauled off for chipping.

🏠 Homeowners can sign up at Free Wood Chips, ChipDrop or Portland General Electric for a delivery of free wood chips.

How it works: The first two sites match arborists who have mountains of mulch with gardeners who want to cover their soil.

Gardeners use wood chips in compost, to prevent weeds from growing, and to keep moisture in the soil, although plastic sheeting is an alternative.

🌲 ChipDrop asks homeowners to clear a space 15 feet long and five feet wide for the pile.

The delivery truck also needs a 20-f00t height clearance.
Chips are supposed to arrive in one to five weeks but have been known to show up the next day.
Arborists pay $20 per delivery.

🪵 Dig in: Arborist General Tree Service, based in Beaverton, explains ChipDrop on its website and adds a crucial detail: These chips are twice as big as those sold at home and garden stores and contain up to 50% leaves and green matter.

Add Axios on Google

Downed Portland trees now available chipped

More Portland stories